All about Hormone Help

What's in it?

St Johns Wort - is specific for depression associated with menopause.    Compared to benzodiazepine and diazepam for the treatment of anxiety St Johns Wort was found to be more effective – with few side effects.  It is indicated for the relief of stress, menopausal related anxiety and may also restore normal sleep patterns.

Sage - has an amazing ability to reduce sweating.  This action is noticeable after drinking an infusion of the herb and the effect persists for several days following. 

An often unknown action is that Sage may help to regulate menstrual cycles so can aid in settling down of irregular periods common for women going through menopause.  

The essential oils are also known to help improve memory and concentration. 

Licorice - is an amazing adrenal gland restorative which makes it crucial for any woman going through menopause.  As the ovaries stop producing oestrogen, the adrenal glands take on some of this role.  If the adrenal glands are depleted and not functioning, normally due to years of stress, the transition from ovaries to adrenal glands does not occur smoothly and thus hormonal dips will be more common.

Also as a mild laxative licorice ensures that the excess hormones excreted by the liver are moved out of the body.  They can be re-absorbed and lead to imbalances if constipation is a problem.

Vitex - works to help balance the hormones from the pituitary gland and has been shown to improve some menopausal symptoms because of this.

Passionflower - as an anti-anxiety and calming herb this is a crucial as women often feel stressed and anxious while going through menopause.  Passionflower reduces some of this anxiety and also helps to improve sleeping.

 What is it for?

• Peri-menopause and menopause.
• Menopausal symptoms: hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, depression.
• Insomnia due to menopause
• Exhaustion, lethargy
• Depleted adrenal glands.

What makes Hormone Help so good?

• Blended to have multiple actions - assists in the variation symptoms Menopause can present. 
• Wont interact with HRT medications
• Adrenal restorative - helps to improve menopausal transition and improve energy levels.

How long will it take to work?

As you are dealing with Hormones there is always a cyclical nature to them.  What this means is it can take 2-3 hormonal cycles to gain full effect.  In terms of menstruation this is 2-3 months.  However this is mainly relevant to the Vitex due to it's hormone balancing effect.  Vitex will start to have an effect after 2-3 weeks but the full benefits will be seen the longer you take the blend.

There are other herbs in the blend that will work more quickly though so you can get some more instant relief.  Sage for example has been shown to work within hours reducing sweating and Passionflowers relaxing effects will occur quickly.

St Johns wort's anti-depressant effects take around 3 weeks to work - although it's anti-anxiety effects can start to work within a few days.

The key here is to continue with the tea for at least 2 months to experience the full benefits.

Cautions

• Not suitable for severe depression or anyone with suicidal risk.
• Do not use at the same time as: warfarin, anti-depressant medications, HIV drugs.
• Don’t take in high doses if you are prone to photosensitivity – usually not a problem with herbal teas.
• Exercise caution if taking a very low dose contraceptive pill

Note: Any reactions to St Johns wort have occured with concentrated alcohol extracts or tablets.  None have been reported when taking as an infusion.

•  High quantities of licorice can lead to a retention of sodium and thus water and has the potential to raise blood pressure or cause fluid retention. Levels in teas unlikely to cause this problem.